Hemp drink

Hemp drinks are non-alcoholic beverages infused with THC derived from hemp plants. The drinks typically contain between 2.5 and 10 milligrams of THC per serving and are marketed as alternatives to alcoholic beverages. Hemp and marijuana are not distinct species but rather varieties of the same plant, Cannabis sativa L. Most plant biologists classify them as subspecies of the same organism. The legal distinction between them is based solely on chemical composition: under United States federal law, hemp is defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, while cannabis exceeding that threshold is classified as marijuana. Hemp cultivated for fiber or seed production typically contains less than 0.1% THC, while cannabis strains bred for recreational use commonly contain 25% THC or more. The 0.3% threshold was first proposed by Canadian researcher Ernest Small in a 1976 taxonomic study and was subsequently adopted as the legal standard in the United States. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 defines hemp as "the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis." == History ==

Cannabis-infused beverages have a documented history across multiple cultures. In ancient China, cannabis was recorded in texts such as the Shennong Bencaojing as a medicinal herb, and practitioners prepared it as a tea used to treat conditions including rheumatism, malaria, and menstrual pain. In India, cannabis has been consumed in a preparation known as bhang, which is made from cannabis leaves, milk, ghee, and spices; for more than 3,000 years, particularly in religious contexts associated with Hinduism. Bhang remains legally available in some parts of India. In the 19th century, cannabis beverages and tinctures were sold commercially in Europe and the United States. Pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly and Parke-Davis marketed cannabis-based syrups and elixirs without a prescription, and physicians prescribed the substance for various ailments. This period of medicinal use ended in the United States following the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which imposed federal restrictions on cannabis. Informal use continued during the counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s before the commercial hemp beverage industry emerged in the 21st century. After hemp was federally legalized in 2018 in the United States, these products became widely available through general retail channels such as convenience stores and gas stations. In states where adult-use cannabis was legal, hemp-derived THC products competed with more heavily taxed and regulated dispensary products. In states where recreational cannabis remained prohibited, they provided an unregulated alternative. THC-infused hemp-derived seltzer became a significant revenue source for some craft breweries in the United States during a period of declining alcohol sales. == Popularity ==

Sales of hemp-derived THC beverages rapidly grew from approximately $400,000 in 2020 to an estimated $382 million in 2024. Industry forecasts projected sales approaching $600 million in 2025. Retailers in several states reported significant year-over-year sales increases. Specialty grocers and liquor stores carrying the products noted that customers ranged broadly in age and that the category appeared to draw consumers who had reduced or discontinued alcohol consumption. Some retailers attributed declines in beer and wine sales in part to the growth of hemp-derived THC beverages. == Statistics ==

According to a September 2025 report by Whitney Economics, total legal sales of THC beverages in the United States reached between $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion in 2024, representing approximately 11 percent of the market's estimated potential. The report projected total potential market value at between $4.96 billion and $14.87 billion, depending on the rate at which THC beverages cannibalize alcohol sales. An estimated 500 to 750 THC beverage brands were operating nationally, with average brand revenue of approximately $2 million per year; the top brands exceeded $10 million annually. The report forecast year-over-year growth of 25 percent in 2025 and 33 percent in 2026, with projected legal sales reaching $5.58 billion by 2035. As of the Whitney Economics report's publication, THC beverages were legal in 28 states, legal with restrictions in 9 states, available through licensed dispensaries only in 7 states, and prohibited in 6 states. == How they are made ==

Most commercially produced hemp beverages are made using a liquid emulsion process. Cannabinoids such as THC are first extracted from the cannabis plant as an oil, which is then refined to achieve the desired cannabinoid profile. The refined oil is combined with carrier oils, water, and food-grade emulsifiers, then processed through a homogenizer that reduces the oil into microscopic droplets suspended evenly throughout the liquid. The result is a stable emulsion that delivers cannabinoids consistently without separating over time. Manufacturers typically test incoming cannabis extracts for potency and contaminants prior to putting them into drinks. Because the emulsion is substantially diluted when incorporated into a finished product, manufacturers also conduct stability testing to verify that labeled potency remains accurate throughout the product's shelf life. == Legal status ==

United States (federal) The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (known as the "2018 farm bill") legalized the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp in the United States, defining hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. The legislation was supported by agricultural interests in states with established hemp-farming traditions, such as Kentucky. State-by-state By late 2025, dozens of states had moved to regulate or prohibit hemp-derived products: • California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation in October 2025 banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products outside the state's licensed cannabis market. • Texas moved to restrict sales of impairing hemp products to individuals 21 and older. • Nebraska considered legislation that would criminalize the sale and possession of hemp-derived THC products. • Washington state established a hemp cultivation licensing program but banned intoxicating hemp products outside its regulated cannabis market in 2023. The number of licensed hemp growers in the state fell from 220 to 42 between 2020 and 2025. • Minnesota legalized hemp-infused beverages and foods in 2022 for individuals 21 and older, requiring that products be derived from legally certified hemp. == Law enforcement challenges ==

The legal distinction between hemp and marijuana has created challenges for law enforcement, particularly in states where marijuana remains prohibited. No field test currently exists that can accurately measure the concentration of THC in a cannabis sample, making it difficult for officers to determine on-site whether a substance constitutes legal hemp or illegal marijuana. As of February 2022, 37 states and the District of Columbia had legalized cannabis for medical use, and 19 states and the District of Columbia had legalized it for recreational use. In jurisdictions where marijuana remains unlawful, law enforcement agencies have faced difficulties distinguishing hemp from marijuana without laboratory analysis. == See also==